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Artist Database

MARTIN, Emma May

Born
Toronto, 1865
Died
Montreal, 1957
Biography synopsis
Emma Martin studied with her father, Thomas Mower Martin, a well known painter who worked with oil and watercolour, painting still life and landscapes. She later studied at the Toronto Art School and the Central Ontario School of Art and Design under Marmaduke Matthews and George A. Reid. Martin began exhibiting as early as 1883, and started exhibiting regularly in major Canadian art shows from 1886 until 1943. A member of the Ontario Society of Artists, she also took part in RCA exhibitions from 1887 to 1913 as well as at the Columbian Expo in Chicago in 1893. Martin visited England and Scotland with her father in 1906-1907. However, she chose not to exhibit her English scenes until several years later; some were shown late as 1927-1928. Martin never married and taught at the Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Toronto until approximately 1910. The artist also gave private lessons in her own studio and conducted outdoor sketching classes.
Media used
China painting
Oil painting
Painting
Watercolour
Education
Toronto Art School (under Marmaduke Matthews, G. Reid)
Central School of Art and Design, London
Memberships
Women's Art Association of Canada
Ontario Society of Artists
Heliconian Club
Rosedale League of School Art
File & Archive locations
Edmonton Art Gallery, AB - Library
University of British Columbia - Fine Arts Library
University of Calgary Library, AB
London Public Library, ON
National Gallery of Canada, ON - Library and Archives
Art Gallery of Ontario - Edward P. Taylor Research Library and Archives
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts / Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, QC
Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, QC - Media Centre
Canadian Women Artists History Initiative Documentation Centre, QC
Winnipeg Art Gallery, MA - Clara Lander Library
Glenbow Archives, AB - Finding Aids / Scanned Documents
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Writings about
Who's Who in Ontario Art, Part 10 Toronto: Ontario Library Review, 1950
"?" Saturday Night 9.40 (22 Aug. 1896): 9
"Art and Artists." Saturday Night 6.7 (7 Jan. 1893): 14
"Art and Artists." Saturday Night 1.25 (19 May 1888): 7
"Art Exhibition: Water Colours, Statuary and Miniatures." Montreal Daily Witness 6 Apr. 1897
"E. May Martin, 92 Was Noted Artist." Star (Toronto) ? Feb. 1957
"Father-Daughter Exhibit Robert McLaughlin Gallery." Oshawa Times 20 Feb. 1991
"Much Good Work at R.C.A. Exhibition: Thirty-Fifth Annual Show Comprises Interesting Pictures by Local Artists." Gazette (Montreal) 21 Nov. 1913: 5
"Women's Art on Display." Oshawa Times 6 Sept. 1984
Brimmell, Helen. "No Lack of Good Art for Viewing in City." Mercury (Guelph) 2 Feb. 1981
Crabtree, Linda. "Three-Part Display Marks Anniversary." St. Catharines Standard 8 Sept. 1980
Doyle, Lynn C. "Art Notes." Saturday Night 9.14 (22 Feb. 1896): 9
Hare, Irene B. "Close-ups of Toronto’s Women Artists, No. 13- Miss E. May Martin." Toronto Sunday World 31 Aug. 1924
Harper, J. Russell. Early Painters and Engravers in Canada Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1970
MacDonald, Colin S. The Dictionary of Canadian Artists. (Volumes 1-8 by Colin S. MacDonald, and volume 9 by Anne Newlands and Judith Parker) Ottawa: National Gallery of Canada, 2009
McMann, Evelyn de Rostaing. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Formerly Art Association of Montreal: Spring Exhibitions, 1880-1970 Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1988
McMann, Evelyn de Rostaing. Royal Canadian Academy of Arts/Académie royale des arts du Canada: Exhibitions and Members 1880-1979 Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1981
Petteys, Chris, et al. Dictionary of Women Artists: An International Dictionary of Women Artists Born Before 1900 Boston: G. K. Hall, 1985
St. John Art School. 1912 Provincial Exhibition, St. John, N.B., Catalogue: Loan Exhibition of Oil and Watercolor Paintings St. John (New Brunswick): St. John's Art Club, 1912
W. Scott and Sons' Galleries. Thumb-Box Exhibition To Be Held by Canadian Artists Toronto: 1908
Watson, Jennifer C. Water Colours by E. May Martin Oshawa: The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, 1980
Watson, Jennifer C. "Re-discovering E. May Martin." Canadian Collector 15.4 (Jul-Aug. 1980): 22-25

Full text pdfs of exhibition reviews
Royal Canadian Academy Annual Exhibition.: (Montreal, April 20, 1887) "The Royal Canadian Art Exhibition."  Montreal Herald  April 19, 1887.  p.1.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, June 14, 1887) "Ontario Society of Artists. The Pictures Shown at the Exhibition Now in Progress."  Globe (Toronto)  June 15, 1887.  p. 6.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, June 14, 1887) "The Ontario Society's Exhibit. II."  The Week  June 30, 1887.  p.496.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, April 1888) "Pictures. Opening of the Spring Exhibition."  Daily Witness (Montreal)  April 04, 1888.  p.2.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, April 1888) "Among the Water Colors. A Rather Uneven Collection at the Art Gallery."  Gazette (Montreal)  April 10, 1888.  p.5.   Full-text pdf
The Joint Annual Exhibition of the RCA and the OSA.: (Toronto, May 07, 1888) "Art and Artists."  Toronto Saturday Night  May 19, 1888.  p.7.   Full-text pdf
The Joint Annual Exhibition of the RCA and the OSA: (Toronto, May 08, 1888) "Art and Artists."  Toronto Saturday Night  May 19, 1888.  p. 7.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, April 1889) "Opened to the Public. The Water Color Drawings in the Spring Exhibition."  Gazette (Montreal)  April 16, 1889.  p.2.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 22, 1889) "The Parent Art Society of Ontario."  The Week  May 31, 1889.  p.408.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 22, 1889) Van.  "Art and Artists."  Toronto Saturday Night  June 01, 1889.  p.7.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 23, 1890) Van.  "Among The Pictures."  Toronto Saturday Night  May 31, 1890.  p.7.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 23, 1890) Templar.  "Art Notes."  The Week  June 13, 1890.  p.443.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 18, 1891) "Ontario Society of Artists. Notes on the Exhibition That is Now in Progress."  Globe (Toronto)  May 23, 1891.  p. 9.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 18, 1891) "Art Notes."  The Week  May 29, 1891.  p.416.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 18, 1891) Chad.  "Ontario Society of Artists. First Notice."  Toronto Saturday Night  May 30, 1891.  p.7.   Full-text pdf
Royal Canadian Academy Annual Exhibition: (Ottawa, March 30, 1892) "Art Notes."  The Week (Toronto)  April 08, 1892.  p.297-8.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, April 19, 1892) "The Art Gallery. Further Review of the Exhibition's Pictures."  Montreal Herald  April 30, 1892.  p.5.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 25, 1892) "Ontario Society of Artists."  Globe (Toronto)  May 30, 1892.  p. 4.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 25, 1892) "Art Notes. Among the Water Colours at the O.S.A."  The Week  June 17, 1892.  p.458.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, April 24, 1893) Van.  "Art and Artists."  Toronto Saturday Night  January 07, 1893.  p.14.   Full-text pdf
Royal Canadian Academy Annual Exhibition: (Montreal, March 1893) "Royal Canadian Academy. Opening of the Exhibition to the Public Yesterday."  Montreal Herald  March 02, 1893.  p.8.   Full-text pdf
Royal Canadian Academy Annual Exhibition: (Montreal, March 1893) "The Canadian Academy."  Daily Witness (Montreal)  March 03, 1893.  p.3.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, April 24, 1893) F.E.G..  "Art and Artists."  Toronto Saturday Night  April 29, 1893.  p.15.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, April 24, 1893) "Art Notes."  The Week  May 05, 1893.  p.540.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, April 24, 1893) "Art Notes."  The Week  May 05, 1893.  p.540.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 13, 1896) Lynn C. Doyle.  "Art"  Toronto Saturday Night  May 09, 1896.  p.9.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 13, 1896) Lynn C. Doyle.  "Art"  Toronto Saturday Night  May 16, 1896.  p.9.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, April 01, 1897) Werthemer, G. de.  "L'exposition annuelle de peintures a l'Art Association. Revue complete du salon."  Les Nouvelles (Montreal)  April 04, 1897.  p.2,8.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, April 01, 1897) "Art Exhibition. Water Colors, Statuary and Miniatures."  Daily Witness (Montreal)  April 06, 1897.  p.12.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, April 01, 1897) G. de Werthemer.  "Le salon de L'"Art Association." Aquarelles."  Les Nouvelles (Montreal)  April 11, 1897.  p.7.   Full-text pdf
Women's Art Association of Canada (Tor) - Tenth Annual Spring Exhibition: (Robert's Art Galleries, April 19, 1898) "Art and Artists. Tenth Annual Exhibition of the W.A.A. Water Colors the Feature. Some Noted Canvases by Distinguished Artists. Contributions from Montreal, Hamilton, Brockville and Kingston - Toronto Well Represented - The Trend of Art."  Globe and Mail (Toronto)  April 19, 1898.  p.5.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 09, 1898) Jean Grant.  "Studio and Gallery"  Toronto Saturday Night  May 14, 1898.  p.9.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, May 09, 1898) Lynn C. Doyle.  "Exhibition of the Ontario Society of Artists. Second Notice."  Globe (Toronto)  May 21, 1898.  p.8.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, March 02, 1901) Lynn C. Doyle.  "At the Art Gallery."  Globe (Toronto)  March 09, 1901.  p.26.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, March 17, 1905) "At the Art Gallery. An Enjoyable Private View."  Daily Witness (Montreal)  March 18, 1905.  p.4.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition.: (Toronto, February 23, 1906) "Artists' Society Exhibition."  Globe (Toronto)  February 24, 1906.  p.16.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition.: (Montreal, March 23, 1908) "Exhibition of Art. Some Brilliant Canvases Dazzle Eye in 24th Spring Exhibit in Art Gallery."  Gazette (Montreal)  March 23, 1908.  p.4.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, April 02, 1909) "Exhibition of Art. High Water Mark Reached in This Year's Spring Showing in Art Galleries. Stricter Standard Set."  Gazette (Montreal)  April 03, 1909.  p.9.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, March 14, 1912) "Pictures Shown at Spring Exhibition of the Art Gallery Reach a High Level."  Montreal Star  March 15, 1912.  p.6.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, March 14, 1912) "Art Opening, a Social Event. A Princess Exhibits."  Gazette (Montreal)  March 15, 1912.  p.4.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, March 14, 1912) "Princess Patricia's Work Shown at Spring Exhibition of the Art Association."  Daily Witness (Montreal)  March 15, 1912.  p.11.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, March 26, 1913) "Spring Exhibition at Art Gallery. Opened for Private View Last Night with Many Meritorious Works. Some Post Impressions."  Gazette (Montreal)  March 26, 1913.  p.13.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, March 27, 1914) "Variety in Spring Picture Exhibit. Private View Opened 31st Spring Show at Art Gallery Last Night. Works Number Over 400. Sanity, Sincerity and Progress Characterize Majority of Pictures-Various Branches Well Represented."  Gazette (Montreal)  March 27, 1914.  p.11.   Full-text pdf
Art Association of Montreal Annual Spring Exhibition: (Montreal, March 26, 1915) "Spring Art Show Has 478 Exhibits. Even Excellence Dominant Note at Art Association Which Opened Last Night. Nothing Very Daring."  Gazette (Montreal)  March 26, 1915.  p.5.   Full-text pdf
Ontario Society of Artists Annual Exhibition: (Toronto, March 1933) Lucy Van Gogh.  "The O.S.A. Show."  Toronto Saturday Night  March 18, 1933.  p.13.   Full-text pdf

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